The aim of Orange Tree Yoga has always been and will always be to share the phenomenon of the art of yoga in the Iyengar tradition with others, to bring harmony into people’s lives, to give time for reflection, renewal of positive energies and to balance our work-life ratio.  Rachel is determined to share her knowledge of yoga, the impact that it can have on people’s lives, not just from an individual perspective but also taking the gifts of yoga into the community that we interact with.

With the retreats, we also, through working with a specially chosen team of caterers, therapists and hospitality staff, commit ourselves to promoting ethical practices in the workplace and in the wider community. By basing herself in one place for the retreats, Rachel is able, year by year, to build on her local knowledge, build her connections with the community both economically providing regular income for others but also providing guests with an insight into the “real” Algarve and promoting the Portuguese way of life so that visitors leave Portugal at the end of their stay with a real understanding of the area they have visited.

Prices for Yoga Retreats 2013

Why do a Yoga Holiday?
I’m travelling alone. Will I be the only one?
How much yoga and free-time is there?
What happens about meals? Does everyone eat together?
How do I get there?
Will everyone be better/more experienced than me?
Will I need a car?
What kind of people will be there?
What are the current prices?
Can I have a brochure? How do I make a booking?

Why do a Yoga Holiday?
Yoga Holidays are for anyone who needs to recharge their batteries, get some perspective on their life, to relax or simply to further their study and practice of yoga in a nurturing and fulfilling environment. Guests are encouraged to relax, enjoy, be themselves, make friends, ask questions, have fun and experience the great joy that yoga can bring. Many people experience the resolution of a problem or a new-found determination to change some aspect of their lives that has been bothering them. Others just find the holidays a complete break and come back year after year for their “therapy”. The holidays are not intended as a serious detox – the clue is in the word “holiday” but many guests choose to use the week or few days to maybe instil some good eating or drinking habits, to get more exercise or rest, to leave work and problems at home and to really devote time to themselves, to honour their body and their minds.

I’m travelling alone. Will I be the only one?
Many people come on the holidays on their own and quickly make friends and settle into the relaxed and friendly environment.  If you arrive at the same time as someone else, we will put you in touch with each other so you can share a taxi to the retreat centre, a chance to connect straight away.  It’s really not unusual to welcome single travellers and there are plenty of friendly people around but also plenty of space to have time to yourself.

How much yoga and free-time is there?
For all the holidays, there are morning and evening classes on most days except for arrivals and departures days.  It’s not too early a start – either 8.30am or 9.00am depending on the time of year in the morning for a 2-hour class, followed by brunch and then free time until the 90-minute evening session at around 6.00pm.

This allows for plenty of rest time, massage treatments, local walks or sunbathing.  We usually take one  afternoons and one morning off during the holiday to allow guests to explore further afield or take an extended relaxation day.

What happens about meals? Does everyone eat together?
Normally, we all eat together at brunch after each morning yoga session and at dinner in the evenings. If guests are rushing off to the beach, brunch can be taken in a packed lunch. If we are having an evening off, we often go out for dinner in a nearby restaurant or people may decide to go off on their own or self-cater.

How do I get there?

Flights can be taken from most European airports to Faro which is just 20 minutes away. If you’re coming from further afield you can also fly to Lisbon and either get the train or fly to Faro. From Seville and many other areas in Southern Spain you can arrive by Eva Bus. Quinta Mimosa and Monte na Luz are both situated 5km from Loule – full directions will be sent to you when you book or you can visit their websites for more information. Taxis from Faro airport cost around 25 euros and if you arrive at the same time as another guest it is often possible to share transport.

I’m a beginner. Will everyone be better/more experienced than me?
All the holidays are suitable for all levels, even complete beginners. Rachel takes care that everyone, no matter what level, gets the teaching they need to suit their experience. Beginners are welcome as well as more advanced students and teachers and Rachel makes sure that those more experienced are sufficiently challenged! Having different levels in the class is a great learning experience as we all learn from each other.

Will I need a car?
It’s a good idea to hire a car as there is so much to explore in the Algarve. However, taxi’s are reasonably priced and easy to organise and you can also hire bicycles. Trains and buses have regular routes throughout Portugal and there is a little station in Almancil, about a mile from the retreat venue. There is a small supermarket and 2 great restaurants within walking distance but the bigger shops are a 5 minute drive away. Loule market is 5 minutes drive north and the beach is 10 minutes south by car but again, taxis will take you there for around 10 euros each way.

What kind of people come on a yoga holiday?
It’s always a pleasure to welcome guests on the yoga holidays as they are from all walks of life. We have guests from ages 20 to 80. Predominantly women but more often now men are joining too. Some have done lots of yoga, some none at all or very little. Some have very stressful jobs in banking, media, fashion or in the caring professions, doctors, nurses, physiotherapists. Some are mothers or fathers taking some time out from family commitments, others are retired but keeping active. Some are writers, artists or graduates. All have one thing in common, they want to come away for a while to relax in a warm and peaceful environment, develop their yoga practice and enjoy good company.

What are the current prices and how do I pay?
Please contact Rachel for pricing details and availability. It is possible to pay via bank transfer, PayPal or cash on arrival. Deposits are taken in sterling or euros and the balance is payable in euros.

Can I have a brochure? How do I make a booking?
All the information is on the holidays page but contact Rachel for further details. We try to save paper by keeping all the relevant infor online and Rachel is on hand to answer any other questions you may have. To make a booking please contact Rachel direct via her email or telephone 0207 558 8658.

Click for an instant weather check

WEATHER

The weather in the Algarve is fantastic with endless days of sunshine and a short, mild winter. Temperatures climb steadily from an average maximum of 18c in March to a peak in August of up to 33c.  The Algarve has over 3,000 hours of sunshine throughout the year and our September & October holidays afford warm, sunny, dry weather with temperatures still in the mid to high 20′s.  Check the weather widget on the right hand menu bar for more details.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Plenty of time is scheduled between classes to allow for other activities, quiet time, excursions or extended sunbathing sessions or perhaps a massage treatment from one of the visiting massage therapists.  There are swimming pools at both venues and beach towels are provided.

Within easy reach are historic towns & villages, spectacular scenery, excellent beaches, golfing, horse riding, tennis, sailing, walking & even go-karting! For those who seek the surf, the famous Atlantic west coast is only 50 minutes away with some of the best surfing beaches in Europe & in the other direction, Spain is only an hour away.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Fly to Faro from many airport destinations.  To check for flights, visit www.skyscanner.net. Both Monte na Luz and Quinta Mimosa are situated just 20 minutes taxi/car ride from Faro Airport and only 2 hours train from Lisbon or bus from Seville. Taxi transfers from Faro cost around €25-30 each way. Rachel will put guests who are arriving at the same time in touch with each other so they can share taxis and she will also book your cab with Mario, our friendly, local taxi guy. Monte na Luz offer a transfer service for €10 per person. We can help you with your travel arrangements if you are having difficulties or need more advice. Hire car is easily arranged in advance or once you arrive and bicycle hire is also available.

Map for Driving to Quinta Mimosa

View Faro to Quinta Mimosa in a larger map
Map for Driving to Monte na Luz

View Faro to Monte na Luz in a larger map

For any further information, do contact Rachel email: rachel@orangetreeyoga.com Tel: +44 207 558 8658

Early Morning Yoga

Both Quinta Mimosa and Monte na Luz are long running retreat centres, situated just 20 minutes from Faro Airport and only 5 minutes from the historic town of Loule and 15 minutes from the beautiful Algarve coast. Mimosa and Monte na Luz have been hosting yoga retreats for over 20 years and both are well-known for their warmth & hospitality.  You will be in wonderful surroundings with friendly people from all walks of life. If you are travelling on your own or with a friend you will find that there is plenty of space to have quiet moments to yourself & plenty of good company for when you need it.  See below for an example of your holiday programme.

Example Holiday Schedule

THE YOGA CLASSES

All the classes are taught by Rachel, and she will be on hand throughout your stay to answer any questions you may have and provide support.  The classes are designed to give participants an indepth experience of yoga asanas, to learn more, improve their practice & to have fun and relax. Guests will often arrive tired & stressed, looking forward to a well-earned break & after their holiday, return home feeling refreshed & renewed.  All equipment is provided and all levels of experience and fitness/health catered for.  Where possible, Rachel can also offer private sessions extra to the programme during your holiday.

Wendy & Elena

THE FOOD & OTHER SERVICES

All the food served at both Monte na Luz and Quinta Mimosa is vegetarian and special allergy diets can also be catered for. For meat and fish lovers, there are plenty of restaurants near and far offering a wide range of local and international dishes. We eat our meals together with a huge brunch after each morning yoga session and three course dinner on most evenings. You can take food away with you from brunch if you like to save something for later. The food is lovingly prepared and created by Wendy or her daughter Elena who have been catering in the Algarve for over 15 years.

Massage Therapies

Quinta Mimosa Bicycle Hire

The accommodation at Quinta Mimosa is arranged in 3 converted Portuguese farmhouses. There are 3 ensuite rooms in each house with lounge, fully equipped kitchen, terrace and barbeque area for each house. Also on site are 3 swimming pools all exclusively for the use of residential guests of Quinta Mimosa. The ensuite rooms can be shared between two, or for a supplement as single occupancy, unless otherwise specified. Also available is a dormitory area accommodating up to 4 people, in a mezzanine gallery integrated above the fully equipped yoga studio, or a separate twin room which shares the bathroom with the dormitory area.

At Monte na Luz, there are single and double rooms arranged in small cottages and the main building with views overlooking the hills towards Loule and the Algarve coast. There is a weekly mini-bus service to the town and the beach is only 15 minutes drive away.  It’s a tranquil spot with no light pollution and great for bird and nature lovers.  Dutch owned and run, it is a comfortable and serene space with a warm welcome always offered by it’s team, Frank and Odille.

All the accommodation is decorated and furnished with love and there are plenty of places to sit & read, relax, swim, lounge, chat, meditate and enjoy!

]]> http://www.orangetreeyoga.com/uncategorized/yoga-holiday-accommodation-details/feed/ 0 http://www.orangetreeyoga.com/uncategorized/portugal-yoga-holiday-booking-form-2013/ http://www.orangetreeyoga.com/uncategorized/portugal-yoga-holiday-booking-form-2013/#comments Mon, 27 Feb 2012 19:38:06 +0000 Rachel http://www.orangetreeyoga.com/?p=1763 http://www.orangetreeyoga.com/uncategorized/portugal-yoga-holiday-booking-form-2013/feed/ 0 http://www.orangetreeyoga.com/blog/yoga-and-mesothelioma/ http://www.orangetreeyoga.com/blog/yoga-and-mesothelioma/#comments Fri, 28 Oct 2011 08:00:24 +0000 Rachel http://www.orangetreeyoga.com/?p=1626 Continue reading »]]> “Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos and has long been considered a mystery and incurable. However, over the past two decades, physicians, scientists and researchers have begun to unravel this mystery and help people diagnose mesothelioma in its earlier stages, while providing more extensive forms of treatment, vast resources, and general information to make coping and survival more about optimism rather than uncertainty.”

I was recently contacted by the Mesothelioma organisation, which provides detailed information on mesothelioma and the ways various treatments can improve the lives of patients. They told me that “while mesothelioma remains incurable, patients have found ways to surpass typical life expectancies through innovative treatments. For thousands of years the practice of yoga (and its many variations) has been a respected lifestyle due to its focus on physical and mental wellness. As a complementary therapy, yoga has been used to ease the physical and emotional pain associated with cancer as well as cancer treatments.”

They are dedicated to raising awareness and ultimately finding ways to prevent it from occurring from the start. Visit the Mesothelioma website for information on how researchers are now recommending alternative therapies including yoga to relieve symptoms and treat this rare form of cancer.